The government wants to increase the number of native English speakers at elementary schools to teach third graders and above. The move is to strengthen regular curricula for public education amid brewing criticism over the banning of extra-curricular English classes for first and second graders.

The measure comes in response to criticism from parents of first and second graders that they are forced to turn to expensive private education so their children "are not left behind" during the first two crucial years. The government's repeated flip-flopping on this has only fanned confusion and skepticism.

The Ministry of Education said Wednesday that it would increase exchanges with foreign schools, book reading and discussion in English as well as speaking exercises, all part of efforts to help the competence and confidence of students and their parents.

A consultative body — comprised of 19 members including teachers, parents and parents-recommended education experts, with the cooperation of the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE) — will carry out a comprehensive review of English education.

The joint team will devise mid- to long-term plans by the end of the year, following multiple hearings as well as gathering public opinion.

"Prior to the confirmed plan to improve English education at school, the ministry will consider offering state subsidies for extra-curricular activities in English during school years or on vacation for third graders and above in elementary schools in rural areas," a ministry official said.

"We will also review teacher performance evaluation and ways to strengthen their teaching capability. Details of the specific plan will be unveiled at the end of the year to be implemented next year."

The ministry's decision to ban extra-curricular English classes for first and second graders as well as those at daycare centers followed the Constitutional Court's ruling in February 2016 that found the government's prohibition of English education for children in the first few grades of elementary school was constitutional.

In the unanimous ruling, the court said, first and second grades in elementary school are where students first learn Korean and civic education in the public education system, and therefore the ban was constitutional.

The ruling pointed out, "Some experts said teaching both languages at the same time could hinder developing students' Korean proficiency while causing other problems to English education as well.

"It therefore follows that English education must be limited in order to teach children more about civic ethics."

However, the decision drew criticism from educators, who claimed that learning a foreign language early on could actually help children enhance their linguistic ability.